Over 20 persons have been reportedly killed by bandits who attacked a market at Ungwan Lalle in Sabon Birni Local Government Area in Sokoto state.

Sources in the village said several other persons were injured and majority of them are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Sabon Birni while others with life threatening injuries were taken to the state capital for proper care.

A former council chairman of Sabon Birni local government, Abdullahi Tsamaye, confirmed the attack.

He said the assailants came in large numbers into the market and started shooting sporadically, aiming at anybody in sight.

They also reportedly burnt vehicles and destroyed several other properties.

The police in Sokoto are yet to confirm the attack, as of the time of this reporting.

No fewer than three persons were killed on Friday, October 8, as soldiers raided Izombe community in Oguta LGA of Imo State.

Many houses, including the palace of the traditional ruler of the Aborshi-Izombe community, Pius Muforo, were razed, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Although the exact cause of the raid is still sketchy at the time of filing this report, NAN gathered that Izombe, Eziorsu and Osobod communities have been enmeshed in oil bunkering operations.

Speaking on the development, a community leader from Umuokwu village, Mr James Imo, claimed that over 50 houses have been burnt down.

“I was informed that two military men were killed and their vehicle set ablaze after the two military personnel had killed one young man, Chukwunonso Iherue, in Umuokwu-Izombe. The problem arose from misunderstanding between the youth and soldiers over crude oil bunkering activities,” he said.

He alleged that the angry youth fought back, overpowering the soldiers and as well took their guns and burnt their vehicle. The military personnel ran to the palace of the traditional ruler for refuge, but the angry youth stormed the palace, brought them out and killed them.

It was gathered that the incident led to a reinforcement of soldiers, who raided the area thereby initiating the chaos.